Everything Dolphin: No subject is taboo, no deadlines, no space crunch.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Bad news for Beck: You're not one of Bill's peeps

One thing I think we all should have learned about Bill Parcells by now is that he knows who he likes and doesn't like and he is loyal to his peeps.

H fired Randy Mueller and Cam Cameron, in part, because he didn't know them. He hired Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano, in part, he knew them and felt comfortable with them.Parcells is big on familiarity and that's the reason he's got a corps of assistant coaches that follow him from place to place.

Picking his guys and sticking with them is HUGE for Parcells.

And that is the reason John Beck should be worried.

Beck is not a Parcells guy. Parcells didn't scout him, didn't draft him, didn't sign him. And that makes Beck the only one of Miami's three quarterbacks that Parcells did not pick or scout or sign.

Parcells inherited Beck from the previous regime while he went out and got Josh McCown as a free agent and drafted Chad Henne Saturday.

So that puts Beck at a disadvantage. Henne and McCown are not going to get a free ride by any means, but I do believe they rate higher than Beck in the mind of Parcells -- because they were picked by Parcells.

That means any tie on any matter goes to McCown and Henne. And not Beck. For Beck to win the coming quarterback competition -- assuming he's even in the competition, by the way -- he's going to have to outplay the other two.

Ties go to the other guys because they are Parcells guys.

One final thought: Yes, I said assuming he's in the competition. It is a big assumption, in my opinion. Given what I've seen of how Parcells has basically torn up the roster -- with the latest move being a trade of running back Lorenzo Booker -- I would not be surprised if Beck ends up traded or cut altogether by this time next year.

The only way he avoids that fate is by being waaay better than Henne and McCown. It's the only way he overcomes not being one of The Big Tuna's peeps.

[I will be blogging live starting at 10 a.m. Sunday. Yes, I'm missing church to be with you, so show up!]

Armando - I disagree. If parcells & co. didnt like Beck at all, they would have drafted Matt Ryan #1 overall.They didn't.Then, if they didn't like Beck, they would have taken Henne at #32 (never dreaming he'd still be on the board at #57).They didn't.When Henne was still on the board at #57, it was simply too much value to pass on. So they did the smart thing, and took him.

hzbexiI disagree, One thing about Parcells is he plays the best player regardless of who you are, how much money you make or what round you where drafted in. He does have loyalties but the better players become his players. Beck will have every chance to be the starter on this team. If his play dictates it.

Who cares if you are missing church to DO YOUR JOB?! Keep your religious habits to yourself. Contrary to your scheme of life, there are free thinking people out there who don't believe in organized religion. Don't make assumptions that everyone feels the way you do. Stay professional and keep it to yourself.

I don't think you can associate getting rid of booker with beck, he got rid of booker because hes not the kind of back parcells likes for the system there going to run. He fits in better in philly so if you know the difference between what philly does and what the dolphins want to do you would understand.

"Who cares if you are missing church to DO YOUR JOB?! Keep your religious habits to yourself. Contrary to your scheme of life, there are free thinking people out there who don't believe in organized religion..."

What a pissant comment by a jerk. 'Free thinking' people, my ass. Armando simply shared part of his life and even made a joke of it by adding the exclamation. Grow up, and drop the pompous attitude.

God (oops. sorry. I invoked God), some of you people need to give it a rest already with the childish 'mando-bashing. I mean the guy can't even make a light-hearted (seemingly insignificant) comment about having to miss church without some numbn*tted tight-azz blowing it out of proportion. Wow, what a child.

Well, you are assuming a lot. If Beck has any talent, Parcells will take a hard look at him; and by the way, it is what it is. Parcells was given the keys to the team, to fix it, so we can speculate all we waqnt, and I know that what you're paid for, to speculate, but give the guy some credits, 2 superbowl wins, he fixed the Jets, Patriots and Dallas, so let's be optimistic that he'll do the same with the Dolphins.

The pick looks like a great pick up at 57. Why not? He is a tall pocket passer that has cojones! Will Beck recover from last years starts? Running for your life is no way to play quarterback and it always seriously effects a rookie's future. If you get a chance at a great potential player you pick him up.

I do agree with Arturo. There is nothing more to read in this than management taking an opportunity to make the team better. He can either use the guy or he has him for trade bait.

Sal: Soprano and Ireland both said they scouted Beck and he had a good grade. I've been to Davie Beck can make all the throws. No one is doubting his football IQ or work ethic. A pig is a pig, Henne was the best QB on the board, and had extensive scouting in the decision. I believe Parcells will trust his coach and QB coach on the starter because we now have 3 young differnt style QB's and those are his peeps.

In order to enjoy this service, we need to assume two things. #1: We are all better off when we keep things civil and impersonal to each other and Armando. #2: We say things that make sense and at the very least required some level of effort of thought.

Getting your feelings hurt because Mando goes to church is hilarious, the fact that it burnt you up makes it even funnier and you posting a personal attack because of your feelings boo boo probably made you the laughing stock of the board. Its' Mando's board. Its' NOT his job to post this blog on Sundays, in fact I doubt he even gets paid to keep this blog by the Herald. You're lucky you have someone who doesn't care about your pathetic attitude and continues to post a blog. Maybe you should think of going to church once in awhile, it might give you something to build your life around instead of whatever bitterness you seem to be surrounded with. Mando, thanks for the effort here. While I do not always agree with your take on things, other points of view are what makes debate and the discussion so valuable.

bro,i am not going to be an a hole about this but, what's up with your articles and blogs lately. They are nothing but vague with lots of misinformation. I know you got game because i remember your old blogs. You need to start bringing it or you are going to lose your credability and be seen as the national enquirer of beat writers. Let's go brother Omar Kelly is smoking you!!!!!!!!!!

Now regarding Beck. Henne IS Parcell's guy. Nobody should doubt that. He did fall to Miami's lap because we are lucky we got him but Merling was much farther up Parcell's board than Henne at the first 2nd round pick. Unlike previous regimes, BP and Co. do not panic draft and it was absolutely brilliant and refreshing yesterday not see us give up a 4th rounder to move up one spot for a guy nobody else wanted, or deal our 2nd rounder for some career 3rd stringer who couldnt beat out Ty Detmer....etc

Beck is clearly #3 on BP's depth chart right now. But thats ok, if Beck is truly the best QB he will outperform Henne and Mcnown in training camp and thats good for the Phins. It good if we have lots of strong QBs. Parcells isnt going to start Henne if Beck outplays him. Henne has a lot going for him, he is 23, the phins stink and he doesnt need to win right away. Plus he has a better arm than Beck, more experience in big time games and comes from elite college pedigree. The fact that BP drafted him over a CB tells me BP sees him as starter material because thats what this draft is about for BP, finding guys who can start for this horrible team and improve our chances of making the playoffs and getting to a super bowl. If Beck WAS the guy, we should have taken a CB or DT who could have started for the D. We didn't, that tells you Henne was above Sims, Harrison, Lee and Thomas, all four who would be #1 on the depth chart for our D right now.

I can't believe you peeps that knock amamndo's blog. if you don't like it don,t read it. go be a jets fan. two if bill did not pick a qb i would have lost all hope in this team. not saying beck is not the anwer, but he still is a unknown. three i'am still pissed that they traded l booker. he is a play maker. four games last year he played well. we traded him for a 4th round pick. we traded him for a player that might not even make the roster. i question that judgement. its a mistake. keep an eye on l booker in philly. he will be great. i know that i'am all over the page but here it is. NY giants 17 cheaters 14. still loving it

I echo the sentiment of the previous poster regarding Booker. He was the Welker of our backfield in my opinion. one of those guys that just "jumped off the film." (a quote from Ireland that I absolutely agree with)I feel as though when you have players like that, young, talented & quick. you either keep them and build what you do around them, or, you trade them for pay dirt. He was drafted in the 2nd round last year, never dissapointed in any game, in fact he looked like a bright spot in each of them. And all we get is a 4th. Wow! all I can do is shake my head and say Welker. The welker trade was even better b/c we didn't give up anything significant to get him. but this.... a 2nd rounder. Its on par with giving up a 2nd rounder for A.J. Feely. I may be over rating this guy, but Jeez this doesn't seem right! Mando and folks let me know your thoughts on this one.

The reality is simple... We don't know whether Beck will gel into an NFL starting QB. We don't know if Henne will gel into an NFL starting QB. We do know McCown is a decent back-up QB in the NFL. If Parcells was so sold on Henne he would never have let him slip to 57. What he has done is open up a competition for the QB spot and see who rises to the occasion.

I always hate people saying, "OMG what message are they sending to the poor little QB? This will hurt his psyche and he will never come back from it." BS!!! If the guy can't handle a little competition what's going to happen when Ray Lewis is bearing down on him on 4th down with all the chips on the line? Parcells knows that the guy who rises above his competition and wins over his teammates and coaches will lead this team back from the dregs. Not some guy who is too mentally weak to even handle a little competition.

Let the show begin! Beck will be given every opportunity to win the job, as will McCown, as will Henne. The man who steps up and proves he can lead this team is the guy we want, not some pansy who crawls into a shell because Big Bad Bill brought in a little competition.

Armando, Omar at the sun-sentinel has truly out-blogged the crap out of you this weekend. HE DRANK YOUR MILKSHAKE....SHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOP. (That's the sound of sucking, which I'm sure you are familiar with).

Not only do Cote and Lebetard smack you around, but now Omar the sentinel blogger joins the slapfest.

By the way, did you address your great insightful prediction of the Dolphins not taking Jake Long with their first pick? You are a fountain of misinformation and on top of that, a lousy blogger.

"Pink Peeps Orange pumpkin Halloween PeepsPeeps (branded as PEEPS) are small marshmallow candies, sold in the United States and Canada, that are shaped into ducks, rabbits, and other animals. There are also different shapes used for various holidays. Peeps are primarily used to fill Easter baskets, although the Just Born company is trying to change that by introducing new shapes and advertising "Peeps - Always in Season". They are made from marshmallow, sugar, gelatin, and carnauba wax.

Peeps are produced by Just Born, a candy manufacturer based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Peeps were introduced in 1952 by Russian immigrant, Sam Born. When Just Born acquired Rodda Candy Company in 1953, they automated the process (originally the chicks were formed by hand) and mass-marketed them. Back in 1952, when the peeps were made by hand it took 28 hours to make one marshmallow peep. The yellow chicks were the original form of the candy — hence their name — but then the company introduced other colors and, eventually, the myriad shapes in which they are now produced.

Just Born has expanded its product line to include bats, cats, pumpkins, and ghosts for Halloween; hearts for Valentine's Day; eggs for Easter; trees, gingerbread men, snowmen, and stars for Christmas; and red, white, and blue chicks and stars for the 4th of July.

Although the original Peeps were standard marshmallow flavor, some of the newer flavors include strawberry and vanilla (hearts for Valentine's Day), cocoa (cats and bats for Halloween), vanilla/eggnog and cookie (gingerbread people for Christmas), and orange (eggs for Easter). In 2007, the "Spooky Friends", bite-sized Peeps in Halloween-themed shapes, were introduced, as were peppermint flavored stars for the holiday season. Red Peep chicks are exclusively available at Target stores."

So Parcells likes his peeps huh?By the looks of things, maybe he should lay off for a while.

Armando - I think Parcells deserves a little more credit than that. If Beck can play, he can play. And I think that Parcells is pragmatic enough to recognize that. I don't see him being cut because of a prior relationship, or lack of one. You should stick to reporting facts and not gossip.

Beck 3rd on the depth chart? Now I'm not too familiar with how the Tuna plays "his" QBs, but when is the last time a rookie played QB for him? From what I understand, a rookie QB holds the clipboard for at least 2 seasons with him. So that would at least put Beck 2nd on the depth chart. Can't see how drafting a QB automatically buts him either starting or 2nd.

Good observation Armando, the Lorenzo Booker trade speaks louder to the issue of nepotism with the new administration. Soprano seemed to speak in high regards for Booker, similar to the way he speaks of Beck. Beck needs to start endearing himself, better start carrying some Dove bars for the Tuna

While preachers preach of evil fatesTeachers teach that knowledge waitsCan lead to hundred-dollar platesGoodness hides behind its gatesBut even the president of the United StatesSometimes must haveTo stand naked.

Wow, anyone who think that sweatshop conditions don't exist in the U.S. is a fool. Companies in the U.S. bring in workers from other countries like Mexico to pick fruit, and subject them to the worst conditions.

The Grapes of Wrath is as relevant now as it was at publication. There are no rights for immigrant workers in the States.

you are seriously the dumbest columnist I have ever seen! How you keep your job is beyond me, please stop crying and getting on Parcells and co. case because they wont talk to you. And you need a hair transplant, btw.

Henne can COMPETE with Beck, did you ever think of that Mr. Football? Did you ever think of the fact that maybe instead of WAITING and HOPING Beck turns out to be a pro bowler, you keep drafting QBs until someone shows you they are?

Of course you didnt think of that, your an idiot. Please do us all a favor and quit.

Yeah, I didn't realize that there were many movies or comic books out there that speak of the evils of capitalism. I must have missed them behind the Superman and Captain America editions. People who preach against capitalism are usually college professors, not working class citizens, like at the beginning of the 20th century.

What's not to like about John Beck? He lives, breathes, sleeps, and bleeds football, is accurate, has a strong arm, and, seemingly, is a solid citizen. He, purportedly, has been, and is, doing everything asked of him. He's, intelligent and, more importantly, is football smart. Anyone basing an opinion on last year's results has chit-for-brains. The knock I've heard against him is that he does not have the prototypical size that Parcells prefers....but wait......neither does Henne. So? whatever. I would hope the powers that be, would play the best QB, regardless of whose peep he be.

It sure is a shame that people rag on Mando...oh wait...it's all about jeolousy!!!! Thanks for all the input Mando...I, among others, appreciate it...and keep right on going to church, Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Light!!!!

On to football...solid draft...happy about Henne...Henne (Michigan)to Ginn (Ohio St) gonna be fun to watch!!!

I think that this year, it will actually be an open competition, unlike last years farce. I do agree that if Parcells didnt have some faith in Beck, he would have drafted a QB higher or jettisoned him altogther.

With a good team around him, I think Beck is going silence some of his critics.

Dude that cracks me up so hard...he totally is a homo. your articles suck so bad Armondo! only because you have no idea what your talking about. oh and by the way Tony Romo was not a parcells pick and that kid is blowing it up and he has a sick girl who is stupid but hot.

Bad articles, Miami kept their best QB and added two new qb's to compete, any new staff would have done the same thing. Regardless of how good the believe Beck can be, they would have drafted the same players and made the same trades. They will play the best player regardless of how they got there thinking otherwise is a total insult directed at the team you cover.

You are an idiot."For Beck to win the job, he has to outplay them." So was the thought of a quarterback battle just advertisement? To win a quarterback battle, you usually have to outplay the other quarterback. And Beck is going to outplay them. The Dolphins could not find a quarterback that will work harder than John Beck.

Parcells has simply opened open a true QB competition, which we haven't had in ages; he will play the best player. However, if there is a tie, and no body really outshines the other, he will probably go with his pick; bias is inherrent in human nature.

Someone mentioned that Henne was a tall pocket passer??? Henne is the same size as JB; Reported that JB has put on an additional 10 LBS, putting him around 6'2" 225. Henne is 6'2" 225.

First time poster here. Just wanted to add my thanks and support for the great articles and blogs Armando.

I'm not a big fan of Beck, and I agree that his days are most likely numbered with the Dolphins. I don't think they picked Henne as an obvious starter right now though. Beck will get a chance to compete, I just don't think he'll hold the starting job for long if at all.

I will grant you that he might not have done near as badly last year with a good line in front of him and some more weapons on offense. I mean Chambers was traded and Brown was injured before he ever stepped on the field.

That being said, I agree with one of the posters here. If you aren't sold on the QB's you have, keep drafting them until one stands out. We drafted Beck last year, Henne this year, and if neither definateively stands out, we will draft yet another one next year. McCown is a consistent backup, no more than that. He is a steady known quantity while we decide which young guy is the future, if either is. Young being figurative, meaning young in the league, giving Beck's actual age.

As for all the naysayers on these blogs. If you hate Armando so much and are so faithful to the Sentinel, why are you here bashing him instead of there? Leave those of us who enjoy these blogs and the debates here alone, back off Armando for doing his job, (well I might add)and go back to your little blogs on the other papers. We don't need you, and Armando doesn't need to devote extra time of his own to a bunch of whiney 5 year olds that don't deserve it.

Here he goes again...disturbing shi t. That is what Armando is good at. His latest was sh*t between Parcels and Taylor and now sh*t between Parcells and Beck. He does that well and toots his own horn real well. What a guy....If you listen to Ireland, it is very clear. These guys LOVE competition so the players push one another. Also, a good reporter stated (before the draft) it will make sense to use on of the higher draft picks to pick up another QB in case Beck doesn't make it. The design is to make the playoffs in year 3. If Beck doesn't make it this year, how well do you think they will be able to train another QB to be playoff calibur in the few years left?

The amazing thing about all this is so many people doubt Beck or have written him off based on last year's performance. Let's face it, when you don't have anyone blocking for you, you're screwed either way. Thankfully we didn't waist high pick on a QB, and loaded up on the line. Get some decent protection in there and then we can see what each QB can do.

Beck should be worried, so should MCcown along with Henne, Foster will be the dolphins starter at some point this season, Foster along with Ronnie and Ricky just pounding the ball til the defenses start overplayin the run then "bam" downtown to Ginn, it will happen and that is parcells master plan,to drive the football down the throat and be the most boring,but winning games,in football history.'72 BLAST FROM THE PAST FOOTBALL BABY!!!!

I don't think that it is bad news that Parcell added an extra QB. We now have only 3, Cowan, Beck and Heene. That's perfect. Need 3 to compete for the job. I prefer John Beck or any other QB to compete for the job than to get a freakin free ride into the team.

Remember, we don't need bad news from you and anyone else. Let those guys play like man and sort it out for themselves. But, Henne ain't the franchise QB that's for sure. For example, Heene probably TDs like he did because he got good protection and recievers. What did John Beck have with Miami last year? Do the math and encouraging articles rather this crappy blog of yours. Flush it!

The article would have been much shorter (and probably more factual) if it simply stated that whoever wins the QB competition between Beck, McCown, and Henne is going to start. I highly doubt that Beck being one of the holdovers from the pre-Parcells era is going to weigh all that heavily in the decision. Supposing that Beck outplays McCown and Henne, do his detractors really envision Parcells (or Sparano) telling him to hit the road simply because he's "not a Parcells guy"?

About this blog

Armando Salguero has covered South Florida sports for 25 years, starting as a 19-year-old in 1982. He's covered the Dolphins since 1990 and hosts a Dolphins hour show every weeknight 7-8 on 790 TheTicket (790theticket.com). He has worked nationally for ESPN and also writes sports columns for The Miami Herald.